Abstract:

Globally, the role of contract farming for improving farmers' livelihoods
has been a topic of interest and controversy for at least the past four
decades. While some research . findings recommend contract farming as a
strategy to be adopted for improving farmers' livelihoods, others have
expressed reservations regarding the stated benefits. They raise concerns
that the "formal contract farming bandwagon- and interventions that
strive to integrate rural smallholders into more formal and commercial
market systems' do not always deliver the benefits portrayed during
promotion of new interventions. Drawing on an empirical study, this paper
assesses how contract farming at Mtibwa Sugarcane Out-grower Scheme is
viewed by . farmers: specifically, perceptions regarding contract farming
among cane growers with reference to its advantages and disadvantages
are examined.